Key takeaways: Wang Yi on Middle East, US ties and multipolarity

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the growing influence of the Global South, as well as China's commitment to multilateralism and cooperation and a "big year" for engagement with the United States featured prominently as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi took questions from the press in Beijing on Sunday on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stressed that head-of-state diplomacy anchors China’s approach to its external relations, and said the country's diplomatic approach provides stability and certainty in a tumultuous world.

A flavor of the press conference's tone can be taken from Wang's most used keywords: aside from China (97 mentions) and world (42), development (44), cooperation (33), people (23), peace (22) and stability (18), were the top ranking terms over 90-minute session, during which the foreign minister took questions from domestic and international reporters. 

Iran conflict 'should not have happened'

The ongoing attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, Israel's actions in Lebanon, and Iran's retaliatory strikes across the region have led to fears of a widening conflict and concerns over significant economic disruptions.

Wang acknowledged that the entire world is concerned about the issue, and stressed that China has maintained an objective and impartial position – to bring about a ceasefire and end hostilities.

The foreign minister said the ongoing war should not have happened and does no one any good, adding that the history of the Middle East shows that war helps no one. Force provides no solution and armed conflict will only increase hatred and breed new crises, he added.

He called for measures to be taken to avoid the spiraling and widening of the conflict, for state sovereignty to be respected – noting that might does not make right and willful use of force does not prove strength – for regional countries to make decisions about their futures and for a political settlement to hotspot issues.

Wang also stressed that Chinese diplomats are working hard to support Chinese nationals in the region.

Separately, when answering a question from CGTN's Tian Wei, Wang said the only equitable and widely recognized solution to the Palestinian question is the two-state solution, and added that hard work lies ahead to consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza.

'Beacon illuminating humanity's path'

A core underlying message of the press conference was China's commitment to building an equal and orderly world, driven by the vision of establishing a community with a shared future for humanity.

Wang described the concept as a "beacon illuminating humanity's path forward" that could contribute to the building of an open, inclusive, clean, peaceful and prosperous world, and said that its truth and value are increasingly catching international attention.

The foreign minister repeatedly highlighted China's peaceful development, and reiterated that the country will never take the "beaten path" of seeking hegemony as it grows stronger.

He also spoke about the governance deficit and multilateral threats, and stressed the importance and timeliness of the China-proposed Global Governance Initiative (GGI), which he said had received support and responses from over 150 countries and international organizations.

The core message of the GGI is that the leading status of the UN must be upheld and its central role strengthened, Wang said, adding that while the organization is not perfect, without it the world would only be worse. Creating parallel structures outside the UN or exclusive blocs would be unpopular and unsustainable, he cautioned.

The GGI calls on the UN to keep pace with times and evolve with the changing dynamics of global power in the 21st century, Wang noted.

Global South 'key driver of multipolarity'

Wang also spoke extensively on China's international cooperation and relationships, particularly with other developing nations in the Global South, the rise of which he described as a hallmark of a changing world.

The foreign minister said the Global South was a key driver of multipolarity and emerging positive force for good on the international stage. While hegemony and power politics deal a heavy blow to the international order, he said, the Global South should increase cooperation and coordination while speaking up for peace and empowering development.

Wang stressed China's commitment to its neighbors and the advancement of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future, and called for peace, cooperation and friendship to be the new narrative of the South China Sea.

The foreign minister also answered questions on relations with Europe, Africa, Latin America, India and Japan.

Wang noted that relations with the European Union and European countries have strengthened over the past year, notably in trade and tourism, while European leaders have paid a number of visits to China.

China believes Europe should be a pole in a multipolar world and a key partner in modernization, he said, but must have correct perception of China. He added that there is a growing consensus among wise minds, especially among young people, that China is not a competitor but a partner.

The foreign minister urged countries to step out of "small attic of protection" and into the "fitness club of the Chinese market" to build their strength and competitiveness.

Wang also noted that China will fully implement zero tariffs on 100% of tariff lines for African countries starting on May 1, and said the path of Latin America and the Caribbean countries should be chosen by their people. 

He said the future of China-Japan relations hinges on Japan's choices and also stressed that "the more the international community stands against 'Taiwan independence' and upholds the one-China principle, the more assured peace and stability will be across the Taiwan Strait."

A 'big year' for China-US relations

The relationship between China and the United States has been high on the agenda since Donald Trump's return to the White House in 2025, and Wang said 2026 was a "big year" for bilateral ties and exchanges.

The foreign minister said that China and the US are big countries, and that while neither can remodel the other, they can change how they want to engage.

He added that he was heartened that the presidents of the two countries have provided important strategic safeguards for the China-US relationship to improve and move forward, and said they have brought the relationship back on an "even keel after ups and downs."

"The agenda of high-level exchanges is already on the table. What the two sides need to do now is to create a suitable environment, manage the differences that do exist, and remove unnecessary disruptions," said Wang.

The foreign minister added that when the two sides treat each other with sincerity and good faith, they "will be able to lengthen the list of cooperation, shorten the list of problems, produce results that are satisfactory to both peoples, and achieve consensus that is welcomed by the whole world."

Asked about the concept of a "G2" mechanism, Wang stressed that China is committed to the formation of an equal and orderly multipolar world.